The Aboitiz Foundation recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the local government of Mandaue for the construction of a three-storey, 10-classroom school building and seven laboratories at Subangdaku Technical-Vocational (tech-voc) School in Mandaue City, Cebu.

The school was among those that were badly hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Cebu on October 2013. It has been declared unsafe and recommended for demolition by Mandaue City Engineering Office. Students temporarily held classes in makeshift tents.

The corporate social development arm of the Aboitiz Group vowed to help make education more accessible to about 80% of high school graduates who can’t afford to go to college by developing technical-vocational schools in the country in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Part of building a BetterWorld is ensuring that we have conducive and safe learning environment. This will keep the children's interest to learn,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

Carpio signed the MOA with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Schools Division Superintendent Virginia Zapanta.

Last year, the Foundation allocated funds for the construction of 27 Special Science Elementary Schools and tech-voc classrooms all over the country. In Cebu, Subangdaku was one of the schools in Cebu it supported with the installation of electrical wiring system for the school’s new metal workshop through Metaphil, Aboitiz Group’s construction arm.

Education remains to be Aboitiz Foundation’s primary focus as it continues to implement programs that help uplift the country’s public education system.

It allocates the biggest chunk of its annual budget for education-related initiatives such as infrastructure building, scholarships and financial assistance, integrated computerization, asset donations, among others.

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Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group. Established in 1988, it addresses the social and economic development needs of marginalized members of society. It constantly delivers value to its stakeholders including the communities where it has presence. The foundation focuses its corporate social responsibility efforts on education, enterprise development, and environment. #